I have just learned that 5 SAR teams along the front range have earned NASAR's Valor Award for efforts in saving the life of a fallen climber in 2009. I believe this national award has been given only 2 other times. The teams will be presented the honor later this month.

I believe there's also some highlights that may be showing up in periodicals.

It was an effort on the Crestone Needle to Peak traverse during the dark, at altitude, with exposure, under threat of storm & hypothermic condition, and in which couldn't be afforded a safe heli access & extraction.

The teams involved:

Custer County SAR Team Douglas County SAR Team El Paso County SAR Team Rocky Mountain Rescue Group Alpine Rescue Team

The action ... clearly must be shown to have been out of the ordinary, beyond the reasonably expected behavior in undertaking a search and rescue activity.

The action must be shown to have alleviated a situation in which a "[climber]" was in substantial peril, with the high potential for life-threatening injury or death.

The action must be shown to have occurred in such a way that in successfully carrying out the action, the nominee was required to place himself or herself in a situation potentially resulting in serious injury or death. However, it must be shown that the behavior on the part of the nominee did not exceed the bounds of good judgment and did not constitute reckless endangerment of his or her own well being or that of others.

Please extend your note of thanks to these people when you can as I know they work very hard to help save the lives of many climbers and help bring comfort to families when they are involved.

The tele may be offering something, I saw a quick blurb on the 9news over the web, but can't find it now, could be the snowstorm (I know, big news in Colorado, it's gonna snow). Speaking of which, SnoDale put something together for Alpine that has the entire recap & press release if anyone wants to look at it from the team site. I don't know if my Boulder mates have something up on it, also (& really I should say the 5 teams also -- but I don't know everybodys' websites).

Cin -- I think the other valor awards were only 2; for separate heli rescues. I don't know the specifics of those. Which would really make this a first for any type of a ground-based rescue under this type of agency designation.

"The award will be presented at the National Association for Search and Rescue,(NASAR), Conference in Tunica, Mississippi on May 13th, 2010. This award was created by NASAR in 1977 and has only been awarded twice over the past 33 years."

Further, May 16-22 is designated Natl SAR Week by US Senate Resolution:

Forwarded from Mike "Gator" Gauthier, former Chief Climbing Ranger at Mt. Rainier -- On Friday May 14, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Resolution 526 which honors the men and women who perform Search and Rescue throughout the United States. The Resolution specifically acknowledges the role that professionals and volunteers provide to our country, and sets aside the week of May 16 to May 22, 2010 as National Search and Rescue week. Also, it encourages the people of the United States to observe and hold ceremonies and activities that promote awareness and appreciation of the role SAR personnel provide for their communities.

“As an avid hiker and mountaineer, I take steps to prepare myself and minimize my risk whenever I pack for a trip,” Senator Cantwell said. “But I understand that no amount of preparation can protect you from an accidental misstep or an unforeseen circumstance, and it is often the swift response of trained search and rescue personnel that makes the difference between tragedy and survival. Every day in Washington state and across our nation, these brave volunteers exemplify courage, commitment and compassion in performing their duties. Today, we have passed a small act of recognition for their heroic efforts.”

...encourages the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness and appreciation of the role that search and rescue personnel perform in their communities ‘‘so that others may live’’.